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Market Overview - U.S. stock indexes declined on February 19th, 2026, influenced by hawkish signals from the Federal Reserve and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East [1] - The S&P 500 fell approximately 0.56% to 6,843.00, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped about 189 points (0.38%) to near 49,473, and the Nasdaq Composite declined by 0.60% to 22,621.38 [2] Economic Data and Federal Reserve - The FOMC minutes indicated that most policymakers are concerned about the pace of disinflation, contributing to a hawkish market sentiment [3] - Initial jobless claims decreased by 23,000 to 206,000, lower than the expected 225,000, indicating a strong labor market [3] - Industrial production for January increased by 0.7%, exceeding the consensus estimate of 0.3%, raising concerns about persistent inflation [4] - Crude oil prices rose by 2.6% to $66.71 per barrel, influenced by tensions between the U.S. and Iran, while the 10-year Treasury yield increased to 4.08% [4] Corporate News and Earnings Highlights - Walmart reported fourth-quarter revenue of $190.7 billion, beating expectations, but provided a disappointing full-year adjusted EPS guidance of $2.75 to $2.85, below the $2.96 forecasted by analysts [5] - Deere & Co saw a 7% increase in stock price after reporting higher-than-expected profits and raising its full-year guidance due to recovering demand [6] - Etsy's shares surged 21% following a fourth-quarter earnings beat, marking a positive turnaround for the year [6] - Booking Holdings dropped 7.1% amid competition concerns despite a profit beat, while Avis Budget Group plummeted 23% after a significant earnings miss [7] - Carvana's stock slid 8% after disappointing quarterly results, and major tech companies like Nvidia and Meta Platforms experienced declines of approximately 0.5% [7] Upcoming Events - A significant number of earnings reports are expected after the market close, including those from Newmont, Consolidated Edison, and Live Nation Entertainment [8] - Investors will also be monitoring results from Texas Roadhouse and Sprouts Farmers Market for insights into consumer health [8] Trade Deficit and Geopolitical Concerns - The U.S. trade deficit widened to $70.3 billion in December, which will be a focus for market participants [9] - Ongoing developments regarding potential military action in the Middle East are contributing to current volatility in energy markets [9]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a full-year adjusted EBITDA of $748 million, missing the guidance of $900 million by approximately $150 million, with the fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA expected to be around $157 million [5][6] - The Americas segment was the primary contributor to the EBITDA miss, while the international business performed as expected [6][10] - Rental days in the Americas were flat for the quarter instead of the expected 3% growth, with commercial rental days down 11% in November [6][7] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Americas segment faced significant challenges, including a decline in rental days and pricing pressure, leading to a $40 million revenue impact and an additional $60 million from higher gross depreciation and lower gains on vehicle sales [12][13] - The company took a $500 million write-down on its EV fleets, which was viewed as a necessary reset to strengthen the balance sheet [14][15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The used vehicle market saw a decline in prices, with the Manheim Rental Index price per vehicle dropping nearly $1,000, or 4.3%, from October to November [9] - The pricing pressure was evident across the industry, with RPD in the Americas finishing the quarter down 3.7%, worse than the anticipated 2% decline [10][11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is shifting its focus from fleet growth to utilization, aiming to reduce volatility in pricing and earnings [18][20] - A global reduction in force was implemented to align the organizational structure with the business plan for 2026 and beyond [24] - The company is re-evaluating its OEM partnerships to ensure reliability and execution, which are critical for fleet purchasing decisions [21][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the fourth quarter as a setback but emphasized it as a catalyst for change, focusing on execution and capital allocation [28] - The company expects to stabilize revenue and improve utilization in 2026, with a goal of generating EBITDA north of $1 billion annually [78] Other Important Information - The company plans to continue its partnership with Waymo, with the Dallas launch on schedule and potential expansion into additional cities [27][68] - The average age of the U.S. rental car fleet is expected to be less than a year old by the end of the first quarter, marking a significant improvement [26] Q&A Session Summary Question: 2026 guidance and key inputs - Management acknowledged a wide range for adjusted EBITDA guidance and discussed assumptions regarding RPD and DPU, indicating a focus on utilization over fleet size [31][32] Question: Differences between Americas and international segments - The actions regarding fleet resizing and depreciation adjustments are primarily focused on the Americas segment, with the international segment experiencing less volatility [34][35] Question: Fleet cost expectations - Management explained that the first quarter's high fleet cost is expected to normalize over the year, with adjustments made to reflect current market conditions [41][42] Question: Pricing environment and competitive trends - The pricing environment remains competitive, but actions taken to reduce fleet size are expected to align supply more closely with demand, stabilizing pricing [45][46] Question: EV impairment and DPU benefits - The company discussed the monetization of EV tax credits and the decision to shorten the economic life of EV vehicles, which is expected to reduce depreciation costs significantly [65][66] Question: Collaboration with Waymo - Management refrained from disclosing specific financial details regarding the Waymo partnership, emphasizing operational capability over immediate capital deployment [67][68]

Core Viewpoint - Analysts forecast that Avis Budget Group (CAR) will report a quarterly loss of -$0.29 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 26.1%, with anticipated revenues of $2.75 billion, an increase of 1.3% compared to the previous year [1]. Earnings Estimates - The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 14.8% lower over the last 30 days, indicating a collective reevaluation by analysts [2]. - Revisions to earnings estimates are crucial indicators for predicting potential investor actions regarding the stock, with empirical research showing a strong correlation between earnings estimate trends and short-term stock price performance [3]. Revenue Metrics - Analysts estimate 'Geographic Revenue - International' to reach $621.41 million, a change of +4.8% from the year-ago quarter [5]. - The estimated 'Geographic Revenue - Americas' is projected at $2.15 billion, suggesting a change of +1.3% year over year [5]. Fleet Costs - 'Americas - Per-Unit Fleet Costs per Month' is expected to be $328.2, down from $430.0 reported in the same quarter last year [6]. - 'International - Per-Unit Fleet Costs per Month' is projected at $273.6, compared to $304.0 in the same quarter last year [6]. Rental Days and Utilization - 'International - Rental Days' is estimated to be 10,887 days, slightly down from 10,956 days reported in the previous year [7]. - 'Americas - Revenue per Day, excluding exchange rate effects' is expected to be $68.10, compared to $68.64 in the same quarter last year [7]. - 'Americas - Vehicle Utilization' is projected at 69.0%, up from 67.4% in the previous year, while 'International - Vehicle Utilization' is expected to reach 70.2%, compared to 68.3% last year [8]. Average Rental Fleet - The consensus estimate for 'Americas - Average Rental Fleet' stands at 496,375, down from 497,713 in the previous year [8]. - 'Total - Rental Days' is forecasted to reach 42,388 days, compared to 41,833 days in the previous year [9]. - The average prediction for 'International - Average Rental Fleet' is 168,587, down from 174,253 reported last year [9]. - The consensus for 'Total - Average Rental Fleet' is 664,963, compared to 671,966 in the same quarter last year [9]. Stock Performance - Shares of Avis Budget have changed by -5.8% in the past month, contrasting with a -1.7% move of the Zacks S&P 500 composite, indicating expected underperformance in the near future [11].

Core Insights - The analysis of CAR stock options indicates a potential price range between $105.55 and $135.30 by the March 20 expiration date, based on the Black-Scholes-derived Expected Move calculator [1] - The volatility skew suggests that traders are more focused on protecting against upside volatility rather than hedging against downside risks, indicating a belief in potential upside for CAR stock [2][3] - Recent options flow data shows a bullish sentiment, with significant net trade sentiment favoring optimistic positions, particularly noted on February 4 with $562,800 above parity and nearly $197 million on January 15 [4] Earnings Report Expectations - Avis Budget Group (CAR) is set to release its earnings report on February 18, and trading patterns in the options market suggest a non-trivial possibility of an earnings surprise [5] - Despite CAR stock losing approximately 22% over the past six months and starting the new year down more than 6%, certain indicators hint at a potential positive surprise [6] Price Movement Projections - The Black-Scholes model indicates that CAR stock is expected to trade within a range that reflects one standard deviation from the current price, with a 68% probability of staying within this range [7][8] - A probabilistic analysis suggests that CAR stock may move between $115 and $145 over the next 10 weeks, with the highest probability density around $133 [14] Analytical Framework - The Markov property is applied to assess future price movements based on current trends, indicating that the recent pattern of three up weeks in the last ten weeks suggests a specific drift pattern for CAR stock [13] - The analysis acknowledges the limitations of various models, including the Black-Scholes assumption of lognormally distributed returns, while arguing that Markov-based analyses provide a more grounded approach to narrowing uncertainty [15][16][17]

Core Viewpoint - Tesla is entering the rental car market, indicating a strategic expansion beyond its traditional automotive sales model [1] Group 1: Company Strategy - The move into the rental car market represents Tesla's diversification strategy aimed at increasing revenue streams [1] - This initiative may enhance Tesla's brand visibility and customer engagement by allowing potential buyers to experience the vehicles before making a purchase [1] Group 2: Market Implications - The entry into the rental car sector could intensify competition with established rental companies and other automotive manufacturers exploring similar avenues [1] - This shift may also reflect broader trends in the automotive industry towards mobility solutions and shared vehicle services [1]

Core Insights - Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTZ) experienced a significant share price increase of 28.26% week-on-week, driven by strong earnings performance in Q3 [1] - The company reported a profit of $184 million in Q3, a notable recovery from a $1.3 billion net loss in the same period last year [1] - Adjusted EBITDA for Hertz stood at $43 million, a turnaround from a loss of $208 million in the comparable period, attributed to disciplined operational execution and improved fleet economics [2] - Despite the positive earnings, revenues decreased by 4% to $2.48 billion from $2.58 billion year-on-year [3] - CEO Gil West emphasized the company's commitment to delivering strong results through focused execution and operational discipline [3] - The company is undergoing a transformation aimed at rebuilding its foundation and enhancing its capabilities for future growth [4]

Core Insights - Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. experienced a significant share price increase of 36.23% to close at $6.73 following a strong earnings report for Q3 [1] - The company reported a net income of $184 million, a substantial recovery from a net loss of $1.3 billion in the same quarter last year [1] - Adjusted EBITDA improved to $43 million, reversing a loss of $208 million in the previous year, attributed to disciplined operational execution and better fleet economics [2] - Revenue decreased by 4% year-on-year, falling to $2.48 billion from $2.58 billion [3] - CEO Gil West emphasized the company's commitment to operational discipline and focused execution, indicating progress in their transformation efforts [3][4] Operational Performance - The turnaround in net income and adjusted EBITDA highlights the effectiveness of Hertz's operational strategies [1][2] - The decline in revenue suggests challenges in maintaining sales levels despite improved profitability metrics [3] Strategic Outlook - The company is focused on rebuilding its foundation and enhancing its capabilities to create a sustainable growth platform [4] - Hertz aims to position itself to thrive across the full spectrum of mobility, indicating a long-term vision for the business [4]

Palantir - Palantir's shares have decreased by as much as 8% despite topping analysts' estimates for third-quarter sales and raising its annual revenue outlook, marking 21 consecutive quarters of revenue above estimates [1][2] - The company's stock has surged over 170% this year, closing at a record high, but its price-to-sales ratio stands at 85, the highest in the S&P 500 index, raising concerns about valuation sustainability [2] - Investors are seeking more guidance for the upcoming year, particularly for 2026, indicating a desire for clearer future expectations [3] Hertz - Hertz's stock has increased by 25% after swinging to a third-quarter profit, aided by lower depreciation costs and a strategy of replacing older cars with newer models [4] - The company reported a net income of $184 million, or $0.42 per share, compared to a loss of $1.33 billion, or $4.34 per share, in the previous year [5] Uber - Uber's earnings exceeded estimates, but the stock faced a decline due to a miss on third-quarter operating income and an adjusted earnings forecast that fell short of expectations [7] - The company experienced its strongest quarterly growth since late 2023, with total bookings growing by 21% to $49.7 billion for the quarter, surpassing estimates [8] iHeartMedia - iHeartMedia's shares rose by as much as 30% following reports that Netflix is in talks to license video podcasts distributed by iHeartMedia, positioning it in competition with YouTube [9]

Core Insights - Hertz Global Holdings has achieved its first quarterly profit in over two years, indicating a significant turnaround for the rental car company [1] - The company attributes this success to effective cost controls and an updated vehicle fleet [1] Financial Performance - Hertz reported a quarterly profit, marking a notable recovery from previous financial struggles [1] - The improvement in profitability is linked to strategic management decisions and operational efficiencies [1] Operational Changes - The company has implemented cost control measures that have positively impacted its financial results [1] - An investment in a newer vehicle fleet has contributed to enhanced service offerings and customer satisfaction [1]